Blizzard is perhaps king of web video game development, with some of the most popular internet gaming titles, like World of Warcraft and Diablo.
Their next launch of Diablo may push the limits of what the video game business can be--by allowing the exchange of digital goods for real-world currency. Diablo III will break the lines between virtual and real video game economies. Until now, gamers have only purchased digital goods for real currency--not having played the role of merchant with real-world money. This will certainly have an impact on the existing shady, black-market sites that deal in virtual goods, which can lead to the expulsion of a player or account--if caught. Also, we can expect the IRS to take a serious interest in gaming with the investment of real-world dollars.
